Witnesses said the driver of a speeding purple Thunderbird lost control of his car and smashed into a car on the off-ramp from Interstate 880 to Coleman Avenue this morning in what police called a fatal crash.

San Jose police officer Jermaine Thomas confirmed that a woman driving a blue Volkswagen Beetle died in the three-car pile up on the off-ramp, which was closed until noon. Her name has not been released.

Jessi Fontanilla said he was at the traffic light preparing to turn onto Coleman when he saw the crash.

He heard the Thunderbird squeal and saw it hit a light pole, before smashing into the Beetle waiting at the light. The force of the crash pushed the smaller car into a Ford F150 truck, which was stopped next to it also waiting for the light to change, Fontanilla said.

Officers believe that the driver of the Thunderbird was heading north on Coleman when it struck the curb, sending it careening into the Bettle’s driver’s side door.

California Highway Patrol dispatchers sent an ambulance to the scene at around 8 a.m. Witnesses reported seeing a man come out of the truck bleeding from the head. The woman died on the roadway, Thomas said.

Police are still investigating the crash.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call San Jose police investigator Michael O’Brien at (408) 277-4654. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-STOP